Flamengo player named Libertadores player of the round | OneFootball

Scorer of Flamengo’s qualification-clinching goal against Cruzeiro, Samuel Lino was voted the best player of the round

Samuel Lino received yet another recognition after being decisive for Flamengo in the Libertadores. The forward was chosen as the best player of the competition round after scoring the goal that secured Rubro-Negro’s qualification for the quarterfinals against Cruzeiro at the Maracanã.

WAS LINO DECISIVE AGAINST CRUZEIRO, THEN?

Samuel Lino found the net in the second half of the 2-1 win and confirmed Flamengo’s qualification for the next stage of the Libertadores. The forward stepped up at the key moment to put Rubro-Negro back in front in the tie, when the team from Minas Gerais was enjoying its best spell of the match.

In short, the goal also had special meaning for the player. After being criticized in the first leg, when Arroyo dribbled past him in the move that ended with Cruzeiro’s goal, Lino responded on the pitch at the Maracanã. In the build-up to the second goal, Pedro found the ‘player of the round’ in a good position. The winger took on the defense, sent William the wrong way, and finished past goalkeeper Otávio.

— There’s a very famous phrase that I said when I left Mineirão: ‘he who laughs last laughs best.’ Today it was my turn to leave their player on the floor and score the qualification goal. The qualification goal is what matters most — said Lino, poking fun at the dribble he suffered after the first leg.

SO, IS FLAMENGO IN THE QUARTERFINALS?

With the 2-1 victory at the Maracanã, Flamengo confirmed its place in the Libertadores quarterfinals. The team now awaits the definition of its opponent as it continues its pursuit of back-to-back titles in the competition. This Tuesday (25), Independiente del Valle (ECU) and Tolima (COL) face off to decide who will take on Mengão.

SO FLAMENGO DOMINATED THE ROUND OF 16?

In the first leg, Flamengo also managed to produce the best player of the round. Scorer of the equalizer at Mineirão, Lucas Paquetá won the award for top player. In the return leg, Pedro and Arrascaeta were also in the running, but Samuel Lino came out on top.

THAT SAID, WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— The award for Samuel Lino was well deserved, he played brilliantly! Now we hope the Rubro-Negro forward keeps improving. Number 16’s 2026 has been special, standing out as a winger and even as a playmaking midfielder. We can say that Samu is the team’s main ‘signing’ of the year — summarized Pedro Paulo Catonho, Coluna do Fla journalist.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.